There’s Only One Reason Why Alisson is Worth A World-Record Fee

If you’re familiar with the basics of Economics, you’ll know a thing or two about demand and supply. If you’re a salesperson (I think we all are), you will be very familiar with this concept; a concept that is present in all walks of life, football included.

Of course there are many factors that come into play when these two words are used. Sticking with football as our example, one of the reasons why there’s a spike in the numbers being agreed for player transfers is the demand-supply chain/link/curve/any other word you choose to use.

Typical situation: Alisson Becker – another Brazilian goalkeeper – has now finalized his £65m move from AS Roma to Liverpool. You can say Jurgen Klopp is following in the footsteps of his rival, Pep Guardiola. Just like Pep, the former BvB manager is now being described as a “chequebook” manager.

But just like Pep did at the end of his first season in charge of Manchester City, Jurgen Klopp must have reviewed Liverpool’s 2017/2018 season and must have come to his conclusion; a conclusion which has now made another Brazilian goalkeeper the most-expensive goalie in the world.

Aliso poses for the camera after completing his move to Liverpool from AS Roma

You see, Liverpool’s front trio was the deadliest the Premier League witnessed last season. Forget the Centurions. The names Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Saido Mane (who is now Liverpool’s new No. 10) struck fear in the hearts of their opponents.

Going to Anfield was highly dreaded. Unlike the days of Suarez, Sterling and Sturridge, the football world has not really being able to create an acronym for these three musketeers. But it has mattered little.

Those three helped Liverpool to a top-four finish and a runner-up finish in a Champions League final that the Reds lost in part to Real Madrid’s luck of playing against a poor Liverpool defense.

For all the goals Liverpool scored, the Achilles’ heel remained: a leaky defense.

Along came Van Dijk who brought some saintly stability to the backline. But the goalkeeping errors remained; something that cost Liverpool dearly. This world-record-breaking move for Alisson reveals two things:

Jurgen Klopp has reviewed his past season; well enough to notice where his team needs improvement.

He has been able to pass the same enthusiasm on to the ones who can spend on his behalf.

Although it’s yet another star plucked out of the Italian stars, Liverpool have made their move. I dare say it’s a bold one, one an ambitious team would make. Remember what Pep Guardiola during the last summer transfer window? Look where his team finished the Premier League season.

But the question remains: Has Liverpool overpaid for Alisson?

Until he joins the fray and literally saves Liverpool’s title run-in this upcoming season, it’s hard to tell. But there’s one reason why I think the former AS Roma goalkeeper is worth every penny.

Looking back on Liverpool’s 2017/2018 football season, the one thing they were obviously – and desperately – lacking was a solid goalkeeper. Then of course the poor defenders complicated matters. But ultimately, it was about the goalkeepers.

For a goalkeeper who made nine saves during a 0-0 draw at home to Atlético Madrid in last season’s Champions League and also made 11 stops during a Roma win at Napoli in March, it looks more than likely that this Brazilian will at least keep the Reds in the title race.

He may not be the best goalkeeper in the world but he’s the most important one to Liverpool. He has arrived Liverpool to fill in the void, a task that makes him worth every penny Liverpool paid – or are going to pay, depending on the details of the agreement between both clubs.

Do you think Liverpool overpaid for their new goalkeeper? Do you think they should have been made to pay more by AS Roma? Leave me a comment and share your thoughts with me.

Author: Rotimi “Papi the Great” Daramola

Rotimi Daramola aka Papi the Great is the owner of ForTheGoal.

A freelance sports writer who focuses on football, Rotimi is also a freelance writer, a copywriter and a football analyst who regularly appears on radio and television to talk football. You can follow him on twitter @papi_thegreat to keep up with his writings, engage him and also find out about how you can secure his writing services.

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Rotimi Daramola aka Papi the Great is the owner of ForTheGoal.
A freelance sports writer who focuses on football, Rotimi is also a freelance writer, a copywriter and a football analyst who regularly appears on radio and television to talk football. You can follow him on twitter @papi_thegreat to keep up with his writings, engage him and also find out about how you can secure his writing services.